By JARROD POTTER
AFL debut for Cranbourne Football Club rising star Hayley…
MOST AFL footballers are just slogging it out on the training track in March.
Cranbourne Football Club rising star Hayley Wildes however was in the midst of her AFL debut after she earned a call up to the Western Bulldogs.
With number 21 on her back, Wildes, 19, from Lang Lang, was awe-struck by every part of her AFL experience on Sunday.
From getting her jersey off the men’s skipper Bob Murphy to hearing the roar of the crowd as she ran out onto the field – Wildes soaked up every second of the day.
“The Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy came in before the game and presented me with my jumper and that was just surreal to be given an AFL jumper by an AFL captain,” Wildes said. “Especially one that’s so respected and one of the best in the game at the moment – was just amazing to run out with a fair few people staying around.
“The crowd made a fair bit of noise and it was great.”
The Western Bulldogs-Melbourne NAB Challenge match was only a curtain-raiser for Wildes’ clash as the AFL Women’s Exhibition Series took centre stage at Highgate Reserve, Craigieburn.
After impressing on the track at the AFL Women’s Academy, Wildes, alongside Cranbourne team-mates Danielle Hardiman (Demons) and Bianca Jakobsson (Bulldogs), was brought into the AFL ranks, and Wildes immediately felt at home in red, white and blue.
“Was a couple of weeks ago through an email and we got a few more from the Bulldogs and everyone went down on Saturday for an induction and the club was just amazing – really welcoming and made us feel like we were part of the club.”
Wildes and her Doggies kin were too strong for the Demons in the first exhibition match, snaring a 6.5 (41) to 3.3 (21).
Wildes brought her usual run-and-carry from the south east to the big time as she streamed down a wing, had a bounce and hit up Dogs’ forward Moana Hope lace-out in a thrilling passage.
But her favourite moment was reserved for singing the song – rightly amended from the old Doggies’ verse to start off ‘daughters of the west … ’
“It was great to be part of the win with all the girls there from the start,” Wildes said. “They were all very welcoming and just made us all feel like part of the team and singing the song was just great.
“Just being a part of it and soaking up the knowledge from everyone and taking everything on board.”
Wildes makes her return to the Cranbourne colours soon enough as her Eagles make the step up to the newly formed VFL Women’s competition on Sunday 3 April against Darebin.
She thinks the AFL experience and all the pre-season training with the Academy will pay off for Cranbourne and the Eagles might surprise a few heading into the inaugural season.
“It was really good – because obviously we were in Division 1 last year and not playing against the best – so with three of us – Dani (Hardiman) and Beej (Jakobsson) – in the teams as well,” Wildes said. “Especially with Beej playing really well, even gives Cranbourne a lot of hope going forward against the best of the best.
“It’s about three weeks before the start of the season – and we’ve got Darebin at Darebin round one – so that’ll be a challenge for us and everyone is really looking forward to it.”
